Team McCarthy is heading back to Brisbane for next week’s $75,000 Seymour Nursery Pace series.
Heats are scheduled for next Tuesday, with the Finals will be staged on May 16.
Locally-owned pacers Smooth Showgirl and Birdy Mach will represent the power stable in their respective divisions and both will command strong respect.
Smooth Showgirl is the defending champ following her dominant performance in last year’s Final when she defeated Feel The Faith and stablemate Bamako Mali, while Birdy Mach is very highly regarded within the Belinda and Luke McCarthy stable.
“We’re looking forward to heading back to Brisbane next week for the Nursery Pace,” Luke said. “It’s a series that has been very good to me over the years and we believe we have the right horses to give it a good shake.
“There’s nothing better than a Brisbane autumn/winter campaign.”
Smooth Showgirl has raced in strong form this season, winning four of her 10 starts and setting a personal best time of 1:53.2 when successful at Menangle last month.
The daughter of Art Major was unplaced as favourite last week at Menangle behind Image Of Courage after racing without cover in a time of 1:53.4.
Birdy Mach has raced just once this term when unplaced at Menangle on December 30.
Following a freshen-up, the son of Mach Three has undertaken an extensive trial campaign in preparation for his Brisbane trip, with his trial yesterday resulting in a comfortable victory in 1:56.4 when leading throughout.
He paced the mile in sectionals of 29.6, 30.4, 28.5 and 27.9 seconds.
“Both horses are fit and well and we’ve deliberately set both horses for this series,” Luke said. “It’s been one of their major targets all season.
“The local talent looks pretty handy so it won’t be easy, but we’re confident both will perform at the required level.
“Smooth Showgirl has been solid this season. She got left parked last week in fast time and she only just missed a placing in the end, so I was more than happy with her effort.
“She can sustain her speed and she’s quite tough, so the style of Brisbane racing will suit her down to the ground.
“We discovered a few little issues with Birdy Mach following his first-up effort and worked on those during his down time. It wasn’t anything major and time has helped him.
“His trials have been good and he felt sharp yesterday, he pulled up in good order and I’m keen to test him during this series.”
Both horses will be based at the property of co-owner Ian Gurney during their Brisbane campaign.
McCarthy is no stranger to success in the Nursery Pace with victory behind Smooth Showgirl and Waves Of Fire (2014), Bling It On (2013), Aussie Made Lombo (2010), Fleur De Lil (2006), Tip Your Hat (2005) and Slipnslide (2003).
He also won the three-year-old colts’ and geldings’ Final last year with Bling It On.
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HRQ Media